Glenn
Dunning is a member of New England Outdoor Writers Association
(NEOWA) and contributes monthly to Outdoors Magazine
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Outdoor Magazine, August '02 issue, Traveling Outdoorsman col. Submitted by: Glenn Dunning |
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Quebec-Labrador Caribou The Best Value In Big Game Hunting |
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| While here in Vermont, August means cooler nights, no more bugs and the pre-deer season rituals of getting the bow out or riding the back roads glassing for bucks, on Canada's arctic tundra it's already caribou season. From mid-month through the end of September the big bulls with their massive headgear make their annual migration south toward the Caniapiscau Reservoir region of north-central Quebec. And each season a growing number of local sportsmen head north to experience the thrill of hunting the Leaf and George River herds of Quebec- Labrador Barren Ground Caribou. It's no surprise that this hunt has grown in popularity among sportsmen and women in New England. Most outfitters' trips originate out of Montreal's Dorval International Airport and include a motel reservation the night before departure. But, it is not just proximately that makes this hunt attractive, it is true value when compared to other big game hunting options. For example; the typical American Plan package is eight days, Montreal to Montreal, includes all food and lodging, commercial air travel to either Shefferville or Kujjuaq, charter air service into remote hunting territories, a license for two caribou of either sex and an amazing 95 to 98% success rate. All for less than $4,000.00. An elk hunt will cost $3,000 to $4,000 not including transportation to Montana, Colorado, or New Mexico (take your pick) and on a good day success rates don't even come close, not to mention you are only allowed to harvest a single animal. The same numbers hold up for mule deer, antelope, Saskatchewan whitetails or Newfoundland moose. The total population of caribou roaming the eastern Canada tundra is estimated at around a million animals with the largest concentrations nearly evenly split between the George River herd and the Leaf River herd. These herds actually follow very different migratory routes to end up in the same wintering areas. Base of operations for hunting the George River herd is Shefferville, Quebec about 700 miles north of Montreal while outfitters hunting the Leaf River herd are headquartered in Kuujjuaq at the southern end of Ungava Bay, approximately 1,000 miles north of Montreal. Success rates and pricing are about the same for hunting out of either location. Like with any adventure travel vacation, the quality of the outfitter has a great bearing on the success of the trip. There some important aspects to look for when selecting a caribou outfit and the best in the business are not necessarily more expensive. Because caribou are migratory it is essential to be in the right place and the right time. In a good year most outfitters can put a hunter on game but to increase your opportunities you need mobility. When it comes to caribou outfits, bigger is nearly always better because the bigger operations typically own or have access to airplanes and hunt out of dozens of individual camp locations scattered across the normal migratory routes of a given area. The best operations have 30 or more camps but only hunt out of a dozen or so at a time. Herd movement is monitored on the ground and from the air. As the animals move south, camps on the northern fringe of the migration are closed while new camps are opened further south to stay in step with where the most animals are concentrated. While many outfitters offer to move hunters to game, many charge for this service, as they have to charter a plane. Your best bet is with an outfit that has multiple camps and clearly states in their literature that hunters will be moved at no charge if there are no caribou around their originally assigned camp. This is still hunting and there are no guarantees but outfitters that offer mobility have the highest success rates. The experienced adventure traveler knows there is more to a successful trip than a trophy wall mount or a cooler full of fish. When you go on a caribou hunt you can expect incredible scenery as the tundra can redefine wilderness beauty with its variety of landscape and game. The weather can be as dramatic and exciting as the terrain and speaking of game; depending on when and where you go there is exceptional fishing available along with ptarmigan and black bear hunting. Camps provide hearty meals and comfortable accommodations usually consisting of heated wall tents with hot and cold running water, even showers. At the end of your hunt both antlers and meat are packaged carefully for your return. By the time bow season rolls around you are back home with a freezer full of lean and tender caribou meat, hopefully a set of antlers or two for the den wall, along with pictures, memories and stories that will keep the adventure alive for years to come. |
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